GAME REPORT

David McCray and the Telekom Baskets clinched a home win in a tense finish against visiting Armia Tbilisi

It's been an enjoyable season so far for everyone associated with Telekom Baskets, but the wheels almost came off against Armia as they scraped an unconvincing 75-71 win in EuroChallenge Group H.

Bonn's campaign almost took an unwanted turn for the worst as winless Armia threatened to impose successive losses on their opponent, who had also fallen on the weekend domestically.

However, the Georgians blew their big chance when to the relief of most spectators inside the Telekom Dome, Giorgi Gamqrelidze missed two free-throws in a bid to force overtime for the visitors ahead of Kyle Weems making the game safe from a subsequent foul on the rebound with three seconds left.

It was fitting Weems had the last say since he finished with 17 points and seven rebounds and was the top performer for the Bonn club along with veteran Chris Ensminger who had 15 points and eight rebounds.

It was also perhaps ironic that free-throws sealed the victory, since both teams were atrocious from the line all night.

The hosts missed 11 free-throws and Armia will be kicking themselves for missing 13 which could, and should, have made it an uncomfortable night for the home team who top the group with three wins.

Curtis Millage was excellent in defeat with 23 points and seven rebounds.

COACH QUOTES

Armia player Giorgi Gamqrelidze"Congratulations to Bonn. This was a very tough and good game. We did everything to win but especially in the last minutes we had no luck. Now we want to win the next games to reach the next round."

Telekom Baskets Bonn player Kyle Weems"I have to give credit to Armia. Especially in the first half they showed that they are a very good team. I am very excited that we got this win tonight."

Armia head coach Kote Tugushi"Congratulation to Coach Koch and the Fans of Telekom Baskets Bonn. They saw a great game in which we made the mistakes at the end of the game. Especially our free-throw percentage was very poor. Basketball is a 40-minute game and not a game for 20 minutes. Although we showed that we can play good basketball. Now we want to win our home games."

Telekom Baskets Bonn head coach Michael Koch"Thanks for the congratulations. Armia gave us a hell of a fight. We know how difficult it is to play on the road. It was a tough beginning for us but for the time being we made some adjustments in defense and hit some big shots. But I also know that this is what the basketball people in Bonn want to see."

COACH QUOTES

Armia player Giorgi Gamqrelidze"Congratulations to Bonn. This was a very tough and good game. We did everything to win but especially in the last minutes we had no luck. Now we want to win the next games to reach the next round."

Telekom Baskets Bonn player Kyle Weems"I have to give credit to Armia. Especially in the first half they showed that they are a very good team. I am very excited that we got this win tonight."

Armia head coach Kote Tugushi"Congratulation to Coach Koch and the Fans of Telekom Baskets Bonn. They saw a great game in which we made the mistakes at the end of the game. Especially our free-throw percentage was very poor. Basketball is a 40-minute game and not a game for 20 minutes. Although we showed that we can play good basketball. Now we want to win our home games."

Telekom Baskets Bonn head coach Michael Koch"Thanks for the congratulations. Armia gave us a hell of a fight. We know how difficult it is to play on the road. It was a tough beginning for us but for the time being we made some adjustments in defense and hit some big shots. But I also know that this is what the basketball people in Bonn want to see."